Something a little different for the stock license plate mount - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

YoungBloodM50 · 09-23-2008, 08:54 PM

Ok so here it is. My first How-to. This was a really easy project given you have the correct tools. Here is what you will need.

-A drill
-Small drill bit
-Pliers
-Dremel (or grinder)

-First take off the license plate, it will only get in the way.
-Next take off the red reflector directly above the license plate (there is a bolt on the other side).
-Now you need to get your drill out with the bit and drill out the rivets holding the license plate mount (there are 2 of them)
-You will probably want to pull out the dremel or grinder and cut off the two end peices where the 2 orange round reflectors hold on to.

I rounded the edges to somewhat match the curve of the plate.
-What I did for the next step is drill one more hole in the mount directly in the middle and reused the hole that the reflector was using. It's up to you if you want to just drill two holes in the plastic on either side of the reflector hole and just reuse the two hole in the mount (I hope that makes sense).

-Ok what I did is I used the bolt in the reflector. Now it is completely encased in the reflector so in order to use it you will have to destroy the reflector. I didn't mind because I hated that thing anyway, it makes it look messy in the back. Here is what the bolt looks like when you get it out of the reflector.

-The next step I haven't even done yet, but it would be a good idea to paint the mount. Make sure to clean it really well and the paint it black.
-Now just bole on the mount, shove the plate on, and Voila. Also I did turn the screws that hold the plate on the mount around so you can't see the wingnuts. Maybe yours don't have the wingnuts but mine did and they were quite the eyesore as well.

All in all it raises your license plate up about 2". In my opinion it is a temporary look until I get the side mount.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helped out some people if you were thinking of doing something with the back end but not sure what.

Oh I almost forgot, here is one more pic, in the daylight.

VtWoodChuck · 09-23-2008, 09:14 PM

Nice job, well documented.

05HDRAM · 09-25-2008, 10:15 AM

I just loosend the screws on the reflector, and put the top of my plate under it and retightened it. The lower holes on the plate lined up with the existing holes, moved it up with minimal effort.

05HDRAM · 09-25-2008, 10:18 AM

Here's the best pick I have right now:

JMD · 09-25-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05HDRAM

I just loosend the screws on the reflector, and put the top of my plate under it and retightened it. The lower holes on the plate lined up with the existing holes, moved it up with minimal effort.

I pretty much did the same except I removed the bracket with the side reflectors using a drill. I also had to loosen the license plat light and slide the plate slightly under it and then re-tighten the light. New Jersey plates may be wider than other states. I also used a couple of those little red reflectors instead of screws. New Jersey requires a rear reflector to pass inspection.

05HDRAM · 09-25-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMD

New Jersey requires a rear reflector to pass inspection.

I am pretty sure PA does too, but I never had any problems.

YoungBloodM50 · 09-25-2008, 11:12 PM

That works too. I guess mine was somewhat unnessesary. But I not the biggest fan of it going under the light. Just my opinion.

JMD · 09-25-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05HDRAM

I am pretty sure PA does too, but I never had any problems.

I never did either, I just put them on prior to getting the bike inspected. Those ju ju bean reflectors are probably not DOT compliant, but they worked to pass inspection and i just kept them on.

cardude720 · 10-05-2008, 06:28 AM

Done. I like the free upgrade and MORE tire must be cooler! I love to show off the fat rear tire...

YoungBloodM50 · 10-05-2008, 08:38 PM

I m really glad this helped somebody. Thanks cardude. And more rear tire is definitley a plus in my book. Looks much better.

cardude720 · 10-05-2008, 09:03 PM

how in the hell did you figure out that you could reuse that screw in the reflector? It took me a good 10 minutes just to get all of the plastic off of it. The only reason i kept going was because i knew you had done it. haha, your a trooper!

cardude720 · 10-05-2008, 09:06 PM

also i was not able to use the lower holes on my plate to bolt it to the stock holes on the bike. California plates must be bigger

YoungBloodM50 · 10-05-2008, 09:17 PM

I wasn't sure what was inside that reflector but I was too lazy to go to the hardware store to buy a new bolt so I figured I might as well as see what was in there. Got lucky I guess. As for leaving the mount there and using the bottom bolts, I don't think I would have liked it. Just looks unnatural. This kind of looks like it was supposed to be raised up to there.

09-23-2008, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
YoungBloodM50 Kickstand Operator Joined: Aug 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Black Location: Colorado Posts: 295	Something a little different for the stock license plate mount Ok so here it is. My first How-to. This was a really easy project given you have the correct tools. Here is what you will need. -A drill -Small drill bit -Pliers -Dremel (or grinder) -First take off the license plate, it will only get in the way. -Next take off the red reflector directly above the license plate (there is a bolt on the other side). -Now you need to get your drill out with the bit and drill out the rivets holding the license plate mount (there are 2 of them) -You will probably want to pull out the dremel or grinder and cut off the two end peices where the 2 orange round reflectors hold on to. I rounded the edges to somewhat match the curve of the plate. -What I did for the next step is drill one more hole in the mount directly in the middle and reused the hole that the reflector was using. It's up to you if you want to just drill two holes in the plastic on either side of the reflector hole and just reuse the two hole in the mount (I hope that makes sense). -Ok what I did is I used the bolt in the reflector. Now it is completely encased in the reflector so in order to use it you will have to destroy the reflector. I didn't mind because I hated that thing anyway, it makes it look messy in the back. Here is what the bolt looks like when you get it out of the reflector. -The next step I haven't even done yet, but it would be a good idea to paint the mount. Make sure to clean it really well and the paint it black. -Now just bole on the mount, shove the plate on, and Voila. Also I did turn the screws that hold the plate on the mount around so you can't see the wingnuts. Maybe yours don't have the wingnuts but mine did and they were quite the eyesore as well. All in all it raises your license plate up about 2". In my opinion it is a temporary look until I get the side mount. Thanks for reading and I hope this helped out some people if you were thinking of doing something with the back end but not sure what. Oh I almost forgot, here is one more pic, in the daylight. Last edited by YoungBloodM50; 09-23-2008 at 09:01 PM.

09-25-2008, 10:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
05HDRAM Third gear and cruising Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2006 M50 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 525	I just loosend the screws on the reflector, and put the top of my plate under it and retightened it. The lower holes on the plate lined up with the existing holes, moved it up with minimal effort. __________________ 2006 M50 Jardine 2:1, Cobra fi2000, John's Kit forwards, Widow Pegs, ISO Grips, other misc. mods

09-25-2008, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
05HDRAM Third gear and cruising Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2006 M50 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 525	Here's the best pick I have right now: Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2006 M50 Jardine 2:1, Cobra fi2000, John's Kit forwards, Widow Pegs, ISO Grips, other misc. mods

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Side mount license plate installed	Blueblotch	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	17	09-17-2008 05:11 PM
Curved License plate mount,and lights.	burnchassis	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	3	08-21-2008 06:04 PM
Side mount License plate	wideopen4life	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	13	06-05-2008 01:57 PM
Side/Axle Custom License Plate Mount	mflueras	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	12	10-24-2007 12:21 PM
Curved Side Mount License Plate	NA7A	Harley D	11	09-02-2007 12:23 PM

09-23-2008, 09:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
VtWoodChuck Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: 2007 M50 Limited picked up 24March07 Location: Essex Junction, Vermont Posts: 85	Nice job, well documented.

09-25-2008, 11:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
YoungBloodM50 Kickstand Operator Joined: Aug 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Black Location: Colorado Posts: 295	That works too. I guess mine was somewhat unnessesary. But I not the biggest fan of it going under the light. Just my opinion.

10-05-2008, 06:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
cardude720 Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 and 2005 V-Max 20th Anniversary Edition #886 Location: SoCal Posts: 527	Done. I like the free upgrade and MORE tire must be cooler! I love to show off the fat rear tire...

10-05-2008, 08:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
YoungBloodM50 Kickstand Operator Joined: Aug 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Black Location: Colorado Posts: 295	I m really glad this helped somebody. Thanks cardude. And more rear tire is definitley a plus in my book. Looks much better.

10-05-2008, 09:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
cardude720 Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 and 2005 V-Max 20th Anniversary Edition #886 Location: SoCal Posts: 527	how in the hell did you figure out that you could reuse that screw in the reflector? It took me a good 10 minutes just to get all of the plastic off of it. The only reason i kept going was because i knew you had done it. haha, your a trooper!

10-05-2008, 09:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
cardude720 Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 and 2005 V-Max 20th Anniversary Edition #886 Location: SoCal Posts: 527	also i was not able to use the lower holes on my plate to bolt it to the stock holes on the bike. California plates must be bigger

10-05-2008, 09:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
YoungBloodM50 Kickstand Operator Joined: Aug 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Black Location: Colorado Posts: 295	I wasn't sure what was inside that reflector but I was too lazy to go to the hardware store to buy a new bolt so I figured I might as well as see what was in there. Got lucky I guess. As for leaving the mount there and using the bottom bolts, I don't think I would have liked it. Just looks unnatural. This kind of looks like it was supposed to be raised up to there.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)